West End wonders

GTO’s Partnership and Product Director, Sarah Jeffery, recently enjoyed a trip to London’s West End. Firstly, she was invited along to the launch of Motown the Musical, which opens at the
Shaftesbury Theatre in February 2016. Telling the story of Berry Gordy who founded Motown records and launched the careers of Diana Ross and the Supremes, Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, Marvin Gaye and The Temptations, the show features 50 classic Motown hits including ‘My Girl’, ‘Ain’t No Mountain High Enough’ and ‘I Heard It Through The Grapevine’. Sarah enjoyed performances from some of the cast, including Cedric Neal as Berry Gordy and Lucy St. Louis as Diana Ross. A definite consideration for groups this year.

She followed this with a trip to see Kinky Boots the Musical at London’s Adelphi Theatre. Based on the 2005 film of the same name, Kinky Boots tells the story of Charlie Price, who inherits his father’s beloved shoe factory and with the help of a Soho drag queen, Lola, diversifies into cross-gender footwear. With songs by Cyndi Lauper, in its opening year on Broadway, Kinky Boots won six Tony Awards, including the prestigious award for ‘Best New Musical’. Sarah was expecting a great show and was not disappointed! She especially enjoyed the show-stopping scenes from Lola and her angels, and the heartfelt ‘I’m Not My Father’s Son’.